Find clarity about what it is you are seeking, and go after it.

If you don’t have a clear picture about what you want, you will never get it. Clarity of vision is so important. But to do it right takes time and effort. Begin by choosing three words to describe your business, even if that business is not yet off the ground. Then put your operating principles in writing. This will likely be the precursor to your company vision or mission statement, so take the time to get it right. Next, list some additional adjectives that you want to associate with your vision. Play around with it; be creative. This is the fun part. Remember, the clearer the picture, the easier it will be to transform your vision into reality.

This tip comes from Elizabeth Lessner, owner of Betty’s Family of Restaurants in Columbus, Ohio, which includes Betty’s Fine Food and Spirits, The Surly Girl Saloon, Tip Top Kitchen and Cocktails and Dirty Frank’s Hot Dogs (coming soon). Even before she opened her first restaurant, Elizabeth was trying to find a niche. She wanted to create an environment where women could go—a place to hang out and feel comfortable, free of hassles and full of fun! “It seemed like I could do it,” she recalls about her initial vision. So, she decided to take a chance. Sure, there were skeptics in her life, people who doubted her ability to make it happen—especially at such a young age. And frankly, without that clear picture, it could have flopped. But Elizabeth had clarity, and she went after it—and that made a huge difference in the outcome.

You, too, can follow a dream—a similar dream of owning your own business, perhaps. In the meantime, learn more by reading Elizabeth Lessner’s profile at RealYouIncorporated.com.

Business partner or best friend? Why not both?

Are you thinking about going into business with a friend? If so, begin by recognizing the fact that there could be a strain on the relationship. Then, take the necessary steps to prevent any upsets, like defining, up front, individual responsibilities. Be clear that someone needs to be in charge. Remember, this business is your dream.

Having said all that, a friend and partner can be a tremendous asset, especially if that person has talents and skills that contribute to your vision for the company. And that’s the key. Without that in place, both your friendship and your business could be headed for disaster.

So, bottom line, establish the rules before you get started. Then, together, reach for your goals!

By 2012, women will outnumber men online by more than 8 million

A woman starts a business in the U.S. every 60 seconds. And, American women are the largest economy on earth. Put those two stats together with the possibilities of the Internet - and you’ve got a revolution to be reckoned with.

To read more about the power of women online, check out my eBrandMarketing post and let me know what you think!

Make your office of reflection of the Real You

MAKE IT HAPPEN: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2007 the average American worked 42.9 hours a week. Over the course of a year, this added up to approximately 2,230 hours, which is about 13.3 weeks straight. If you’re spending this much time in your office, create a space that reflects the real you by addressing the needs of your five senses.

TIP IN ACTION: Start with color. Choose colors that exhibit your personality. For example, those who consider themselves to be imaginative, idealistic, a visionary and somewhat eccentric at times may be drawn to the color blue. You may also want to surround yourself with visual reminders of your hobbies and passions. My walls are blue, and I have sea glass on my desk to remind me of the ocean (I’m landlocked in Ohio). I also have tons of pictures and mementos from my kids.

Next, stimulate your sense of smell with a favorite scented candle—lavender, sandalwood and vanilla are great stress-relieving scents. When it comes to taste, keep a container of mints, chocolates or hard candy in your office. I have giant red lollipops around.

Whether you like Beethoven or the Beach Boys, choose some tunes that reflect your taste in music. There are some great desk clocks that double as iPod docks on the market. Turn on your favorite playlist, or listen to some soothing sounds of nature—whatever gets you energized.

Lastly, make sure you address the importance of touch. From your chair to the flooring, it’s important to feel comfortable in your workspace. Pick a desk chair that’s supportive and adds personal flair. Your desk should be spacious and ergonomic.

Here are a few offices of famous New Yorkers, including Martha Stewart’s, for inspiration.

The Million Dollar Question: Can I have it all?

Women have been grappling with this one for years. The honest answer: it’s not about having it all. It’s about having what you want—and being real.

Being real means aligning your values and personality with your business—and the people in your life. Think about who you are and what you want. How do you think? What makes you tick? Then, make sure the members of your team think like you do. Forget about having it all; instead, focus on integrating work and family with your personal goals.

Begin by setting aside some time, away from life’s distractions, to focus on your goals. Develop a clear plan, and then put it into action after your family, friends and professional team members are on board. Together, you will make it happen!

For more tips on making it happen check out Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials For Women Entrepreneurs.

A Lesson from eHarmony.com

I’ll admit it. I’m a big fan of eHarmony.com and I’m married and the mom of four. The reason I’m a fan is the marketing genius and lessons we all can learn from the site and its approach. Launched in 2000, the site is the #1 trusted relationship destination on the website, and has kept that position even in the face of a lot of competition. Why? Check out my eBrandMarketing post.

Never leave home without a business card

You’ve heard it said that first impressions are everything, and in many cases, it’s true. When you’re out there pitching your business and selling yourself, you need to be prepared to articulate your message on a moment’s notice. Having your business card handy will simplify the process. In the meantime, practice what you want to say the next time you need to ask for business. Keep it short, perhaps a sentence or two, and be sure to include the key points—your name, your company name, what service you provide or what product you sell, and finally, how people can find you. That’s where the card comes in. Have it ready—always!

Hopefully you were able to attend last evening’s RYI event at the Wexner Center when I hosted a panel of professional women from Central Ohio, and together we discussed how women have a unique ability to infuse philanthropy into their business. If you arrived early, you were there for the networking reception—the perfect example of an opportunity to meet other professional women and share your story. Of course, there are similar events taking place across the country all the time. Don’t miss them. Be there. And don’t forget your business cards!

Stay tuned for similar networking opportunities by checking the Real You Web site.

There Are 1,010,400 Charities. Find Out How Your Business Can Help.

There are more than one million charities out there that could use you as a supporter, so consider pairing up with a local or national charity that fits your personality and passions—it’s a truly rewarding experience! I genuinely believe in giving back to the community, and I have a passion for the arts. This combination compelled me to become one of the founding donors for the Wexner Center for the Arts.

If you’d like to meet other like-minded women, I will be hosting a panel at the Wexner Center, in Columbus, Ohio, next Tuesday, Sept. 16, from 6-8 p.m. about how women have a unique ability to infuse philanthropy into their business. You’ll meet some of the women in the book and some new faces including Bev Bethge of Ologie, Jeni Britton of Jeni’s Ice Creams, Kim Holzer of Smith Barney, and Elizabeth Lessner of Betty’s Fine Food & Spirits, Surly Girl and Tip Top.

Come early from 5-6 p.m. to see the Andy Warhol exhibit for free! Enjoy a networking reception from 6-6:30, panel discussion and Q&A from 6:30-7:30 and then a book signing and Jeni’s Warhol-inspired ice cream and Surly Girl cupcakes at 7:30. I truly hope to meet you at the event!

Please RSVP here.

The real world is online

Your goal should be to grow closer to your female customer, to know what she likes and what product or service you can offer her to make her life easier. Now take that a step further and determine how you can delight her online. So, imagine a day in her life. From start to finish, what does she do, and what does she need to accomplish her daily tasks? Find out where she’s going online—and be there. What does she read online? Where does she spend her time? But perhaps most important, subscribe to blogs and e-newsletters within your industry, and keep current with what’s out there. Things are moving fast, and you and your business need to be a part of it in order to meet her needs.

At Real Living, we developed a series of quizzes for customers to discover their decorating style, housing types and more. We did this to make life easier for women who are searching for a home. The process of choosing a house can be daunting. By providing her with the tools she needs to simplify the process—like a consumer portal where she can organize, personalize, save and share her favorites properties with friends and families—we’ve helped her accomplish one of her tasks—and best of all, we’ve done it online. You, too, can bring this concept to your business. The real world is online. Be there. That’s where you’ll find your customers.

In addition to meeting customers online at RealLiving.com, we’ve created a forum of women entrepreneurs online as well. Learn what other women are saying and doing online, and share your story!

The Power of the Purse in Real Estate

Real Living has been marketing to women for 7 years now! In fact, Real Living was the first women-focused brand in real estate. Why market to women?

• Women make or influence 91% of all home buying decisions.
• Women guide 94% of all home-furnishing purchases.
• Two-thirds of real estate agents are women.
• 78% of engaged women say that while they already have furniture, they’ll replace most or all of it when they marry.

This being said, I presented at the national Marketing to Women (M2W) conference in May about the tremendous purchasing power women hold in this country, but more specifically in real estate. It was a great learning experience! The M2W conference attracts brands from across the country that understand the influence women have as consumers.

M2W asked Real Living to put together a video highlighting more great statistics on the purchasing power of women. It’s now featured on the M2W site. Click here to view the video!

Women Out-Earning Men in Some Professions

We have been waiting quite some time to see the pay gap between women and men shrink. Well ladies, in some professions the tables are turning. Here are a few current careers where women are earning more than men:

• Sales engineers
• Statisticians
• Legislators
• Automotive technicians and mechanics
• Baggage porters
• Financial analysts
• Aerospace engineers
• Advertising managers

According to an article on AOL, women tend to verbally outpace men and are excellent with details and follow-up, and it is these characteristics that enhance their workplace performance. Currently, women are also receiving college degrees in larger numbers than men. After graduating, they are moving to large urban cities, where, in the past few years, there has been an increase in women earning more than men.

The glass ceiling is getting thinner. Become a pioneer in your field, and begin paving the way for future generations!

To learn about women who change the world, check out Life Lesson 20 in Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs.

The window to your soul is found in the people you admire.

Who is your hero? What are the words that describe your hero? What is something that person did that you admire? And finally, what is one way you can be more like your hero? Write these thoughts down on paper. Then, make a list of the qualities that you admire in your hero. If you have several heroes, they will probably all have similar qualities. But identifying your hero and what that person has done is only the beginning of the process. The next step is to contact your hero. It doesn’t matter if your hero is a famous person or a close friend. Write to that person. Reach out to her. By doing so, you will be greatly inspired to live your life in a way that makes you happy—a way that you’ve admired in others and therefore can apply to your own life and business.

When Chelsea Clinton introduced her mother at the recent Democratic National Convention, she referred to her as “my hero.” Since heroes are presumably those individuals who inspire us to do great things, the people we model our lives after, that most likely means that Hillary Clinton has greatly influenced her daughter. It may even mean that Chelsea has patterned her life after her mother. Remember, identifying your heroes is all part of determining who you are and what you love to do. Famous or not, heroes are the people you and I aspire to be like. They help us identify our values and ethics and what is important to us—thus, how we will run our business.

Heroes are everywhere in life. In fact, you may discover that you admire qualities in other female entrepreneurs. Who are your heroes? What makes them special to you?

Take a look into the lives of other women entrepreneurs.